Cabinet construction



Nov. 15, 1966 J. v. DUNCAN 3,285,684

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United States Patent 3,285,684 CABINET CONSTRUCTION John V. Duncan, 475 E. 1st St., Akron, Colo. Filed Aug. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 477,785 Claims. c1. 312 2s7 Another object of this invention is to provide means or a system for constructing custom-built kitchen cabinets of the wall or floor type from preformed and precut elements of standardized sizes.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide means or a system for making customabuilt cabinets wherein the basic component elements of the invention are notched or grooved to permit rapid assembly of the cabinet through the use of stapling guns, pneumatic nailers, et cetera, or wherein the assembly can be as equally Well accomplished through the use of simple basic tools, such as, for example, a saw, hammer, and screwdriver.

This invention has a still further object thereof, the provision of means or of a system for constructing custombuilt Wall and floor cabinets from basic component elements, the elements being preformed and being easily capable of transport whereby the cabinets may be assembled in s-itu.

The invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of a means or a system for constructing wall or floor-supported cabinets, the wall or floor-supported cabinets being custom-built from preformed and pre-cut elements which are non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and which are durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 2 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 22 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the cabinet illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 5 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 55 of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary exploded, perspective view of the cabinet shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a third embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view, FIGURE 8 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 88, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view, FIGURE 9 being taken substantial-1y on the vertical plane of line 99 of FIGURE 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary, detail cross sectional view, FIGURE 10 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 10'-10 of FIGURE 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary enlarged, exploded perspective view of the cabinet shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of the left-hand side of the cabinet shown in FIGURE 12, parts being broken away to illustrate the details of the construction thereof;-

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to FIGURE 13, but showing a modified hinge connection for the cabinet doors.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES l to 3, inclusive, reference numeral 20 denotes, in general, a cabinet constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention, and the cabinet 20 is seen to comprise an elongated substantially open rectangular bottom frame 22 which includes a pair of laterally-spaced, elongated, parallel, flat, substantially rectangular side frame members 24, 26 each having a plurality of transversely-extending U- shaped grooves 28, 30, respectively, formed in a side thereof, the grooves 28, 30 being spaced longitudinally from one another at regularly-spaced intervals and being of uniform size. Adjacent ends of the grooves 28, 30 are disposed in confronting and aligned relation relative to one another.

The rectangular side frame members 24, 26 are preformed wit-h thegrooves 28, 30, the side frame members 24, 26 being preferably formed of wood or other similar inexpensive material and may be of any desired lengths. Since the side frame members are formed of wood, or of a Wood composition, the same are easily cut with a saw to obtain strips there-of of desired lengths in accordance with the desired dimensions of the cabinet lay-out.

The opposed ends of the side frame members 24, 26 are each formed with an upwardly-facing rabbet 31, 32, and the rabbets 31, 32 may be easily provided by cutting through the side frame members 24, 26 at a side of preselected ones of the grooves 28, 30.

The opposed pairs of ends of the side frame members 24, 26 are connected together by a pair of elongated, flat, substantially rectangular end frame members 33 (only one being shown), and each end frame member 33 is formed with an outwardly-facing longitudinally-extending rabbet 34. The end frame member 33 is preferably formed of a strip of wood with the rabbet 34 preformed therein, and the strip is then merely cut in accordance withv the predetermined width of the cabinet as required by the previously made lay-out plan. Conventional means, such as, for example, an adhesive may be utilized in making the connection between the side frame members 24, 26 and the end frame member 33.

Interposed between the side frame members 24, 26 intermediate the ends thereof, and at preselected longitudinally-spaced intervals relative thereto, is one or more elongated, substantially rectangular spacer blocks 36 each having a longitudinally-extending, upwardly-facing and medially-positioned groove 38 formed therein and extending throughout the length thereof. The spacer blocks 36 are preformed with their respective grooves 38, the spacer blocks 36 being cut from its preformed strip to the desired length in accordance with the predetermined width of the cabinet to be constructed.

The spacer blocks 36 are disposed perpendicular to the side frame members 24, 26 with the groove 38 of each block preferably aligned with a pair of grooves 28, 30. One or more of the spacer blocks 36 have their respective ends fixedly-connected to the side frame members 24, 26

by conventional means such as, for example, a glue, while others may be connected thereto by elongated, substan-. tially rectangular splines 40 which extend through the aligned grooves 28, 30, 38, and may be adhesively secured therein. Splines 40 are preformed of a wood strip of any convenient length which may be then sawed at a predetermined point to obtain the desired length of the spline. It will be understood, of course, that the spacer block 36 may be assembled with a spline 40 before introduction into the frame 22.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a vertically-elongated, substantially rectangular partition wall provided with a plurality of longitudinally-spaced openings 44 along each longitudinally-extending marginal edge thereof. The openings 44 are adapted to receive the customary brackets (not shown) for supporting shelving to be described. The partition wall 42 can be preformed from plywood or other suitable rigid material and in numbers dependent entirely upon the number of compartments each cabinet is to contain.

Reference numeral 46 designates a vertically-elongated, substantially rectangular finish panel which may be preformed of a plywood composition having a finished side. Depending upon the installation of the cabinet, that is, if one or two ends of the cabinet are to be exposed to view, one or two of the finish end panels 46 will be required. The finish end panels 46 are of sufficient size (that is, slightly larger than the partition walls 42) in order that the same may be made to cover the edge of the end frame members 33 and 33' and the edge of the back panel 62.

A plurality of elongated, substantially rectangular shelves 52 are shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. The shelving, again, may be formed of any desirable lightweight wood, wood composition, plastic or other similar compositions or materials, and may be pre-cut in accordance with the specification of each compartment to be formed in the cabinet 20.

At 54 is designated one of a plurality of elongated, substantially rectangular hanging strips. The hanging strips 54 are of such length as to extend between each adjacent pair of partition walls 42. Here, again, the lengths of the hanging strips 54 will vary, depending upon the length of each compartment.

Reference numeral 59 indicates a pair of wood screws, there being a pair of screws 59 for each end of the cabinet, the function of which will be described below.

Reference numerals 60, 61 denote top and bottom closure members formed of any suitable rigid material, the top and bottom closure members 60, 61 being horizontally-elongated with the dimensions of each being identical, but the same may vary in length from one compartment to the next adjoining compartment.

Reference numeral 62 indicates an elongated, substantially rectangular back wall of such length and width as to span across one or more of the compartments in the cabinet in a manner to be described below. Each back wall 62 may be formed by cutting a preformed sheet of wood or plastic composition.

An elongated, substantially open top rectangular frame is designated by the reference numeral 64. The frame 64 is substantially identical to the frame 22, with but two exceptions. Consequently, identical reference numerals have been employed with a prime mark added to differentiate the frame members 64 and to identify the component elements of each frame from one another. One of the exceptions to which reference has been made above, comprises the provision of preformed nail or screw holes 66 which extend transversely through the side frame member 24' at longitudinally-spaced intervals.

The second exception comprises the provision of screw holes 80 in the side frame member 26', the holes extending from edge-to-edge and receive screws 81 therethrough.

Reference numeral 70 designates a substantially open rectangular front finish frame comprising a pair of oppositely-disposed, elongated, laterally-spaced, substantially parallel and rectangular side frame members 72, 74 between the upper and lower pairs of ends of which are disposed and connected the adjacent pair of ends of elongated, vertically-spaced, parallel and substantially rectangular top and bottom frame members 76, 78. The adjacent ends of the frame members may be glued or otherwise connected together by conventional means.

A front finish frame 70 will be provided for each compartment of the cabinet 20, and hence, as the compartments vary in dimensions, each frame 70 must vary accordingly. However, the front finish frames 70 may be p-re-assembled as a unit in such numbers as are required. The pre-assembled prefabricated finish frames have a width substantially equal to the distance between the center lines of each adjacent pair of partition walls 42.

The upper and lower ends of the frames 70 are flush with the upper side of the front side frame member 26 and with the underside of the lower front side member 26.

This type of cabinet may be constructed in situ or in the shop, as preferred. The standardization of the prefabricated elements, that is, the frame members 24, 26, 24, 26', the dividers or spacers 33, 36, the splines 40, and the partition walls 42 serves to economize in time and material costs. For example, and in connection with volume building, it is only necessary to transport to the building site a plurality of elongated prefabricated slotted strips of material such as is exemplified by the elements 24, 26, 24, 26 from which may be cut the identical side frame members.

Since the height and width of the cabinet 20 are predetermined by the dimensions of the preformed partition walls 42 which are also transported to the site of the building, the end frame members 33, 33 could be precut and transported to the building location or could be cut from lengths of material at the building site, the end frame member 33, 33' being severed from lengths of material having the transverse cross-sectional configuration illustrated. The same is also true of the spacer blocks 36, 36 and splines 40. The length of the back wall 62 may be cut from a sheet of prefabricated material at the site as well as the construction of the shelving 52. The lengths of the back Wall 62 and the shelving 52 are, of course, dependent upon the length of the cabinet 20 and the spacing desired between the partition walls 42. The top and bottom rectangular closure walls 60, 61 may also be severed from a prefabricated sheet of material.

As has been indicated as one of the several objects of the invention, one of the primary objects set forth is to provide a cabinet which may be constructed with an economy of time and materials. While the cabinet 20 may be assembled through various method steps, the following procedure is recommended.

Assuming that all of the materials required for constructing the cabinet are made available to the cabinetmaker at the building site in which a plurality of cabinets 20 are to be constructed, the craftsman selects any one of the side frame members 24, 26, 24', 26' and places it along the wall which is to be cabineted. The desired length of the cabinet 20 is now marked off on the selected side frame member, and this member is also marked at each notch where one of the partition walls 42 is to be placed. The other three of the side frame members are now placed in side-by-side relationship relative to one another and with respect to the marked one thereof, the other three side frame members are correspondingly marked. For the convenience of assembly, all marks should be so placed as to be visible by the cabinetmaker. In accordance with the markings, the four side frame members 24, 26, 24', 26' are now cut to the desired length.

The assembly of the cabinet 20 at this point may be facilitated through the use of a sawhorse or other support (not shown) having a height approximately equaling the height of the cabinet 20. One end of the back top side frame member 24 is now placed on the support with the notches 28 facing downwardly. Then, beginning at the other end of the back top side frame member 24, the marked notched portions 28 are fitted over one of the partition walls 42, respectively, and the side frame member 24 is then glued or otherwise secured thereon through a mechanical fitting such as, a nail, the back edge of the side frame member 24' being mounted flush with the back edge of the wall 42.

A partition wall 42 is, of course, fitted below the rabbet 31' at the opposed ends of the side frame member 24'.

The spacer blocks 36' and 33' are now placed on top of each partition wall 42 and are fixedly secured thereon as by an adhesive. The spacer blocks 33, 36' are pushed along the upper edge of the partition wall 42 until the same abut against the longitudinally-extending side frame members 24. The longitudinally-extending side frame member 26' is now placed on the partition walls 42 with the latter engaging within the marked notches 30'. Here, again, an adhesive may be employed or any other means to secure the side frame member 26' to the partition walls 42. It is to be understood, of course, that when assembling the side frame member 26' on the partition walls 42, the side frame member 26' is pushed inwardly over. the top edge thereof until it abuts against the ends of the spacer blocks 33', 36. These series of operations result in the assembly of the frame 64 together with the attached partition walls 42 utilizing a minimum amount of adhesive and with but few, if any, mechanical fasteners, and with the expenditure of .a minimum of effort and time. I

With the top side frame 64 assembled as described on the partition walls 42, the frame 64 together with the partition walls 42 are inverted 180 about the longitudinal axis of the frame 64. The bottom front side frame member 26, is now adhesively or otherwise connected to the other ends of the partition walls 42 with those ends entering in the marked grooves 30. The dividers 33,36 are now secured on the partition Walls 42 in the same manner as described above in connection with the dividers 33', 36, and the bottom frame 22 is completed by connecting the bottom" back side frame member to the partition walls 42, the walls 42 being received and secured within the marked grooves 28. I

With. this assembly still in its inverted position, the top closure members 60 are now inserted and adhesively secured to the members forming the top frame 64. The hanging strip or strips 54 are now inserted and are connected to adjacent pairs of the partition walls 42 as by an adhesive, or, and is the case of the hanging strip which abuts one of the end partition walls 42, additional securing means is afforded through the use of the screws 59 which extend through the end partition walls .42 and penetrate the adjacent end of the hanging strip 54.

The cabinet 20 as thus far assembled, is again inverted 180 about its longitudinal axis and the bottom closure members are now inserted and are fixedly secured, preferably by adhesive 61 to the frame 22.

The back wall 62 is now out and is applied to the back of the cabinet 20, the back wall '62 being continuous and extending across the rear edges of each of the partition walls 42, and is, of course, of such width as to extend from the plane of the underside of the frame 22 to the plane of the upper :side of the frame 64. The back wall '62 is adhesively secured to the frame members 22, 64 as well as to the hanging strips 54.

The prefabricated front finish frames 70 are now connected to the'cabinet by means of the screws 81 which thread through the holes 80, and the frames 70 are also adhesively secured to the front edge of the partition walls 42 and to the front edge of the side frame member 26. It should be noted that in installing the frames 70, the remotely-disposed side frame members 72, 74 terminate on the center lines of the end partition walls 42. Adjacent side frame members 72, 74 are disposed in overlapping and abutting relation relative to the forward edge of each adjacent partition wall 42 with their respective abutting edges falling on the center line of the adjacent one of the partition walls 42. The cabinet 20 may now be fitted with any desired type of hinged door, such as those illustrated in FIGURES 13 and 14 and to which reference will be made below.

Preferably, and before the doors are mounted on the frame 70, vertically-extending quarter rounds are adhesively secured in the corners formed by the side frame members 72, 74 at the end ones of the partition walls 42, and the other hardware which normally accompanies such cabinets is now installed.

A second embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG- URES 4 to 6, inclusive, wherein reference numeral denotes a wall cabinet formed of prefabricated elements which, as before, could be preassembled, if desired. The wall cabinet 100 comprises an open, elongated, substantially rectangular bottom frame 102 which includes an elongated, substantially rectangular back side frame member 104 having a plurality of transversely-extending, upwardly-facing and longitudinally-spaced U-shaped grooves 106 formed therein. This element is identical to the side frame members 24, 26 and 24', 26'. Reference numeral 108 denotes an elongated, substantially rectangular front side frame member disposed in laterally-spaced and substantially parallel relationship relative to the back frame member 104. The front side frame member 108 and the front side frame member 110 of the open top frame indicated at 112 are identically constructed, but are inverted relative to one another, and each is provided with confronting rabbets 114, 116 opening upwardly and downwardly, respectively, and each is formed with transversely-extending grooves 117, which are open at their inner ends into the rabbets 114, 116. Only the U-s-haped grooves 117 of the side frame member 110 are visible in the drawings, but it will be understood that similar grooves are formed in the front side frame member 108.

The top frame includes a compound back side frame member 118 which comp-rises an elongated, substantially rectangular element or back side frame member 119 in which are cut a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, transversely-extending, inwardly-opening and vertically-extending grooves 120. The back side frame member 119 includes a continuous downwardly-opening, centrally-located groove 122 which is adapted to serve a function to be described.

Reference numeral 124 designates an elongated, substantially rectangular back frame extension member identically constructed with respect to the back side frame member 104. As is seen in the several figures, the back frame extension member 124 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, transversely-extending, downwardly-opening, substantially U-shaped grooves 126. The back side frame element 119 has the edge opposite the groove 122 fixedly secured as by an adhesive to one of the longitudinally-extending marginal edges of the extension frame member 124 with the grooves at the upper or inner ends thereof being in open communication with the grooves 126 at the back or outer ends thereof. The back or side frame member 119 with the extension frame member 124 are prefabricated and preassembled to comprise the back side frame member 118.

The cabinet 100 also includes a plurality of partition wall assemblies. Each assembly is prefabricated and preassembled for eventual inclusion in the cabinet 100. As is seen in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, the partition wall assemblies are generally designated by reference numeral 128 and are seen to include a substantially rectangular partition wall 130 through which extends a plurality of vertically-spaced, longitudinally-extending openings 132 adjafcent each longitudinally-extending marginal edge there- 0 Reference numeral 134 designates, in general, elongated, horizontal substantially rectangular spacer blocks each having a longitudinally-extending, centrally-located groove 136 extending throughout its length. The spacer blocks 134 are adapted to receive the upper and lower ends of the partition walls 130 within the grooves 136 and the blocks 134 are fixedly secured thereon as by an adhesive. The spacer blocks 134, as is seen in FIGURE 6, terminate at points disposed adjacent to and spaced inwardly from the longitudinally-extending upright edges of the partition walls 130. It will be immediately recognized that the spacer blocks 134 are identical to the spacer blocks 36, 3.6 and could, therefore, be cut from the same strip of pre-grooved material.

Similar elongated, vertically-extending, substantially rectangular spacer blocks 138 having longitudinally-extending, centrally-located grooves 139 formed the-rein are provided and are adapted to receive the forwardly-facing, longitudinally-extending, edge of the partition walls 130 therein. The spacer blocks 138, as is seen in FIGURES 4 and 6, terminate at points adjacent to, but spaced from the upper and lower edges of the partition Walls 130.

In grooving the frame member 119, lands 140 are provided and these lands, at one or both ends thereof, are out or severed to provide abutments 141. The end lands 142 of the back side frame member 104 are also severed to form the abutments 143, and the back frame extension member 124 has the end lands 144 also severed to form the abutment or shoulder 145.

Reference numeral 146 designates one of a pair of vertically-elongated, substantially rectangular filler strips having an upper, inwardly-extending notch 148 and a lower inwardly-extending notch 150, the notches 148, 150 extending inwardly from the rear edges of the filler strips 146. The notches face in the same direction and serve a purpose to be described.

Reference numeral 151 designates an elongated, substantially rectangular cover strip pre-cut according to specifications, to extend between adjacent pairs of panels.

Reference numerals 154, 156 designate, in general, elongated, substantially rectangular top and bottom closure walls, respectively, which are pre-cut to the dimensions of a given compartment forming a part or the whole of the cabinet 100.

Reference numeral 160 designates an elongated, su stantially rectangular leveling strip to which further reference will be made.

As in the previous embodiment of this invention, a continuous back wall 162 having a substantially rectangular configuration is employed to extend across one or more of the compartments of the cabinet 100.

The assembly of the cabinet 100 follows, preferably, the indicated mode of assembly employed in constructing the cabinet 20. For example, any one of the side frame members 118, 108, 104 or 110 could be laid against the wall to be cabineted and the desired length marked thereon and with the appropriate grooves which are to receive the partition walls 128 would also be marked. The marked side frame member would then be placed in juxtaposition relative to the other three side frame members, and the remaining three marked accordingly. All side frame members would then be cut to the desired length. In constructing the cabinet 100, it is preferable to initiate the construction by using the compound back side frame member 118. One end of this member is preferably supported on a sawhorse, or other suitable support and, starting with the other end of the compound member 118, the rear and upper rear edges of one of the partition walls 130 are engaged within the grooves 120 and 126 at the pre-marked intervals. It is preferable that the compound top back frame member be first used in the assembly, since it affords a greater support.

The top front side frame member 110 is now engaged over the upper front corners of the performed panels 128, the same being engaged within the appropriate marked ones of the grooves 117. The top back side frame member and top front side frame members are adhesively secured in place or other fastening means may be used if desired, and thereafter, the cabinet is inverted 180 about it longitudinal axis. The bottom front frame member 108 is now applied to the lower front corners of the partition walls 128 inthe same manner as was the top front side frame member 110, and the back lower side frame member 104 is now applied to the lower edges of the partition walls 128 at the rear sides thereof. With the assembly of the cabinet 100 as thus far describe-d, still in its inverted position, the top closure walls 154 are now inserted and adhesively secured in the rabbet 116 and against the lundersides of the spacer blocks 134, and to the underside of the extension member 124.

The partially assembled cabinet 100 is now returned to its original position and the pre-cut bottom closure walls 156 are inserted and are adhesively connected in the rabbet 114 and to the uppersides of the dividers 134 at the lower ends of the partition walls 128, and to the upper side of the side frame member 104. The top back side frame member 119 actually constitutes the hanging stip which is now concealed from view by the cover-strip 151 which has also been pre-cut, the cover strip being adhesively secured to the top side frame member in order that the grooves 120 may be concealed from view.

The upper edge of the continuous and pre-cut back wall 162 is now inserted in a longitudinally-extending groove 122, and it is seen in FIGURES 4 and 6 that the width of the back wall 162 extends to a point substantially flush with the underside of the back side frame member 104. The hanger strip 160 is now nailed to the rear edge of the back side frame member 104, the nails passing through the lower marginal edge of the back wall 162 to securely hold the same in place.

The back wall 162 may be option-ally glued or nailed to the rear edges of the partition walls 128.

The filler strips 146 are now applied to the sides of the cabinet, the upper notches 148 thereof engaging about the top back side frame member 119 and the lower notches 150 receiving therein the opposed endsof the leveling strip 160.

Doors of the type shown in FIGURES 14 and 13 may now be hung and other hardware supplied in accordance with the needs of the user.

An end finish panel 164 may now be adhesively secured to the outer sides Of the spacer blocks 134, 138 at the extreme ends of the cabinet 100 and to the outer sides of the filler strips 146. As is seen in FIGURE 13, the finish panels 164 extend partially across the remotelydisposed ones of the spacer blocks 138 to form a hollow border which is closed by the vertically-extending quarter round 166. The open front of the cabinet 100 may be closed by means of a substantially rectangular door 168 shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 13. In this instance, the door 168 is hingedly connected to one of the outermost ones of the spacer blocks 138 as at 170. Again, and if desired, a door 168 may be hingedly connected to the spacer blocks 138 through the use of mounting strips 172 and a butt hinge 174 as shown in FIGURE 14.

FIGURES 7 to 11, inclusive, illustrate a third embodiment of this invention. The cabinet illustrated in these figures is of the fioorsupported type and is designated, in general, by reference numeral 200. The cabinet 200 is seen to comprise an open, substantially rectangular bottom frame 202 which includes a back side frame member 204 having a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, transversely-ex-tending, upwardly-opening, substantially U- shaped grooves 206 formed therein. As is seen in FIG- URE 11, the ends of the back side frame member 204 are rabbeted as at 207. The frame 202 also includes an elongated, substantially rectangular front side frame member 208 rabbeted at its ends, as at 209, and provided with a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, transversely-extending, upwardly-opening, substantially U-shaped grooves 210. The adjacent pairs of ends of the back and front side frame members 204, 208, respectively, are connected together by means of an elongated, substantially rectangular end frame member 212 preformed to provide outwardly-facing rabbets 213. As in the preceding embodiments of this invention, the grooves 206, 210 confront and are aligned with one another, and the rabbeted ends of the back and front frame members 204, 208, respectively, are aligned with the rabbet 213.

The open frame 202 may be reinforced by triangular braces 216 which are also prefabricated, the braces being right-angled and disposed at the inner corner of the junction of the side frame member 208 with the end frame member 212. Any conventional means may be employed in making this connection.

Reference numeral 218 designates one of a plurality of elongated, substantially rectangular spacer blocks, each having a longitudinally-extending, upwardly-opening, substantially U-shaped groove 200 formed therein. This is also in accordance with the teachings of the precedin g embodiments of this invention.

As in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, the spacer blocks 218 are disposed longitudinally of the side frame members 204, 208 at preselected intervals, it being understood that the grooves 220 will be aligned with preselected pairs of grooves 206, 210, and that the spacer blocks 218 are fixedly secured by conventional means to the side frame members 204, 208 in a manner described above. Preferably, each of the spacer blocks 218 has fixedly secured thereto a depending, substantially triangular support bl-ock 222, each having a lower substantially horizontal flat side 224. With respect to the front frame side member 208, the support blocks 222 are substantially perpendicular. However, the same support blocks are fixedly secured to the back side frame member 204 and extend substantially parallel thereto at any desired spaced interval.

Each of the spacer blocks 218 at the back or rear ends thereof and to the back side frame member 204 is secured a further preformed floor support and brace 225. Each of the braces 225 includes a frusto-pyramidal block which is inverted, the apex end thereof facing downwardly for engagement with .the floor. To the support block 225, and centrally thereof, is secured the base end of a triangular support block 228 identical in construction with respect to the triangular support block 222. The support block 228 has a lower flattened side 229 disposed within the same plane as the plane of the end 227. The two elements 226, 228 comprise the brace or support means 225 and are preformed and .pre-assembled. As is shown in FIGURE 11, the base of the element 226 extends parallel to the back side frame member 204 and the altitude of the triangular member 228 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spacer block 218.

Reference numeral 230 designates a plurality of vertically-elongated, substantially rectangular preformed partition walls, the walls 230 being provided with a plurality of vertically-spaced, transversely-extending, bracket-receiving openings 232, as before, the openings being positioned adjacent each vertically-extending marginal edge thereof. As is seen in FIGURE 11, the front edge of each of the partition walls 230, adjacent the upper ends thereof, is formed with an inwardly-extending notch 233.

As is seen in FIGURE 11, the cabinet 200 includes an elongated, substantially rectangular top frame side member 234 having a plurality of downwardly-facing, longitudinally-spaced and substantially U-shaped grooves 236 formed therein. The grooves 236 are aligned with the grooves 210 formed in the front side bottom frame member 208. The ends of the front side frame member 234 are rabbeted, as at 238.

Reference numeral 240 indicates, in general, an elongated prefabricated back side frame member substantially L-shaped in configuration and includes a back side frame member 242 having an elongated, substantially rectangular configuration having a plurality of grooves 244 extending transversely thereacross at longitudinally-spaced intervals, and being rabbeted at its opposed ends as at 246. The back side frame member 242 has its upper end fixedly secured as by adhesive to the longitudinal marginal edge of an elongated, substantially rectangular extension 248. The extension 248 is disposed at substantially right angles to the back side frame member 242 and is formed with similar grooves 250 which open at their inner ends into the upper ends of the grooves 244, and the extension 248 is rabbeted as at 252 at the opposed ends thereof. The rabbets 246 and 252 are, of course, parallel with one another.

Reference numeral 254 designates one of a pair of end frame members, the end frame member 254 being substantially rectangular and having formed therein a downwardly-opening, longitudinally-extending rabbet 256. The end frame members 254 extend between the extension 248 and the front side framemember 234 and are fixedly secured thereto by conventional means.

A plurality of preformed spacer blocks 258 are provided, each spacer block 258 being formed with a downwardly-opening, longitudinally-extending groove 260. The spacer blocks 258 have their respective opposed ends fixedly secured to the extension 248 and to the top front frame member 234. The groove 260 is, of course, aligned with the grooves 244 and 250.

At 268 is generally designated (see FIGURE 11) a pre-fabri-cated substantially Z-shaped elongated front kickboard which includes an elongated, substantially rectangular upright bight 270 from the upper longitudinally-extending end of which laterally projects a substantially rectangular aligning flange 272. The lower end of the bight 270 terminates in a laterally-projecting, substantially rectangular fastening flange 274. The flanges 272, 274 project from the bight 270 at substantially right angles with respect thereto, but from opposite sides thereof.

Reference numeral 276 designates, in general, a prefabricated left-hand kickboard, it being understood that a similar right-hand kickboard is provided and is similarly constructed, but not shown herein. The rightand lefthand kickboards 276 each comprises a normally upright, elongated, substantially rectangular bight 278 from the upper edge of which laterally-projects an elongated, substantially rectangular flange 280. The lower longitudinally-extending end of the bight 278 terminates in a laterally-projecting, substantially rectangular lower flange 282. The flanges 280, 282 are disposed at right angles with respect to the bight 278 and project therefrom in opposite directions.

The leftand right-hand kickboards 276, at their respective forward or front ends are provided with a normally upright corner post 284. The corner post 284 is substantially rectangular in configuration and has the upper end thereof disposed in the plane of the underside of the upper flange 280. The lower end of the corner post 284 is disposed in the plane of the underside of the flange 282. The inner corner of each of the corner posts 284 is thickened to provide the walls 285, 286, the walls 285, 286 being adapted to extend between the planes of the underside of the flange 280 and the upper side of the flange 282. To the upper end of the corner post 284 is fixedly secured a substantially rectangular plate 288.

As is seen in FIGURE 11, the bight 278 abuts against the inner corner of the corner post 284 and is fixedly secured thereto and to the adjoining wall 285.

The bight 278, the flanges 280, 282, the corner post 284 together with its walls 285, 286 and the plate 288 are preformed and are pre-assembled to take the form of the kickboard 27 6 as a single unit.

Reference numeral 300 designates an elongated, substantially flat, rectangular lock bar having a plurality of notches 302 formed therein at longitudinally-spaced intervals. Each lock bar 300 is provided with a rabbet 304 at the opposed ends thereof.

As is seen in the drawings, the notches 302 and rabbets 304 are adapted for engagement within the notches 233 formed in the partition walls 230.

To assemble the cabinet 200, the top back side frame member 240 is mounted on the upper corners of the partition walls 230 in the manner previously described. Thereafter, the spacer blocks 254, 258 are added to the upper edges of the partition walls 230. This is then followed by the addition of the top front side frame member 234. The lock bar 300 is now connected in the notches 233 of the partition walls 230 and the partially completed cabinet is now inverted. The front side frame member 208 is now mounted on the opposed end of the partition walls 230 after which the spacer blocks 212, 218 are mounted on the partition walls 230 and this, in turn, is followed by the addition of the back side frame member 204. The prefabricated top closure walls 354 are now inserted and secured to the frame members 240, 254, 258 and 238. The end kickboards 276 are now applied by first aligning the edge of thet flange 280 flush with the front edge of the lower front longitudinally-extending member 208. A piece of kickboard 268 is then cut to fit between the front faces of the blocks 284 at each end of the cabinet. It is glued and fastened to the cabinet, aligning the front edge of the flange 272 flush with the front edge of the lower front side frame member 208. As needed, braces 222 are glued and slid along the spacer blocks 218 and under the flange 274, and are fastened to the same. One longitudinally-extending marginal edge of a back wall 350 is now fitted into the groove 352 formed in the frame member 242 and is secured therein, the other longitudinally-extending marginal edge of the back wall 350 being fixedly secured to the outer edge of the side frame member 204.

The cabinet thus far assembled is now returned to its original position after which preformed and pre-cut bottom walls 356 are inserted and secured in the manner described above. The preformed face frames comprising the elements 360, 362, 364, 366 are now secured to the front edge of the cabinet by means of the screws 368 and through adhesive, and the desired doors and other hardware may now be applied. The end partition walls 230 are finished, ,as before, by means of finish panels 370 which ride in the rabbets 256 and 313 together with the adjacent ones of the panels 230.

A fourth embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURE 12. In this embodiment, also comprising a floor-supported cabinet, the cabinet is designated, in general, by the reference numeral 400. The cabinet 400 comprises a bottom frame 402 which includes a longitudinally-extending, substantially rectangular front side frame member 404 having a longitudinally-extendingrabbet 405 at a corner thereof. The longitudinallyextending front frame member 404 is identically constructed with respect to the front side frame member 110 shown in FIGURE 6, and also includes a plurality of vertically-extending grooves (not shown) as indicated at 117 in the element 110 of FIGURE 6. The bottom frame 402 includes an elongated, substantially rectangular back side frame member 406 having a plurality of longitudinally-spaced and transversely-extending, upwardly-facing slots 408 formed therein.

Reference numeral 410' connotes a plurality of vertically-elongated, substantially rectangular partition walls each of which is provided with a plurality of verticallyspaced, transversely-extending bracket-receiving openings 411 disposed adjacent each vertically-extending marginal edge thereof.

As in the preceding embodiments of this invention, the bottom frame 402 is provided with a plurality of elongated, substantially rectangular dividers 412, each of which is formed with a longitudinally-extending centrally-located, upwardly-facing groove 413. The divider members 412 receive the lower ends of the partition panels 410 within their respective grooves 413 and are fixedly secured thereto as by an adhesive or other suitable means. The lower rear edge of the spacer panels 410 are received within the grooves 408 in the back side frame member 406, the entry being made in the grooves which have been previously marked. In a similar manner the forward corners at the lower ends of the partition walls 410 are received within the grooves formed in the front side frame member 404.

Reference numeral 414 designates, in general, a plurality of vertically-elongated, substantially rectangular vertical spacer blocks each of which is provided with a longitudinally-extendi-ng, centrally-located groove 416. The vertically-extending partition walls 410 and extend upwardly from a point adjacent to, but spaced from the lower edge of the partition walls 410. The spacer blocks 414 are fixedly secured to the partition walls 410 as by an adhesive.

Reference numerals 418 designate additional elongated, substantially rectangular spacer blocks having longitudinally-extending grooves 420 formed therein. The spacer blocks 418 are mounted on the front edge of the partition walls 410 in spaced relation relative to the upper end of the spacer blocks 414 and terminate at points adjacent to, but spaced from the upper front corner of the partition walls 410.

Reference numerals 422 designate a plurality of elongated, substantially rectangular divider blocks or members having downwardly-opening, longitudinally-extending grooves 424 formed therein The divider blocks 422 are adapted to engage over the upper edges of the partition walls 410 in spaced relationship relative to the front and rear edges thereof. The spacer blocks 422 are adapted to be fixedly secured to the upper edges of the partition Walls 410 as by a suitable adhesive.

An elongated, substantially rectangular top side frame member is indicated at 426, the side frame member 426 being provided with a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, transversely-extending grooves 428 which open inwardly of the cabinet 400. The outer terminal ends of the top frame members 426 terminate in an end wall 427 adjacent the outermost ones of the grooves 428.

Reference numeral 430 denotes, in general, an elongated, substantially rectangular lock bar member also having a plurality of transversely-extending, longitudinally-spaced, substantially U-shaped grooves 432 formed therein and facing inwardly of the cabinet 400. The opposed ends of the lock bar member 430 terminate in end walls 433.

At 434 is indicated an elongated, inverted, substantially L-shaped back frame side member, the top back frame side member 434 including an elongated, substantially rectangular wall 435 provided with a plurality of inwardly-facing, longitudinally-spaced, transversely-extending, U-shaped grooves 436. To the upper edge of the top back side frame member 434 is fixedly secured the longitu-dinally-extending marginal edge of a second elongated, substantially rectangular extension member or element 437 having a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, downwardly-opening, substantially U-shaped grooves 438 formed therein. The upper ends of the grooves 436 are in open communication with the inner ends of the grooves 438, and the grooves 436, 438 are parallel with respect to one another. The lower edge of the back top side frame member 435 is formed with an upwardlyextending, longitudinal and continuous groove 439. As is seen in FIGURE 12, the opposed ends of the extension 437 terminate in end walls 440 which are perpendicular to the end walls 441 formed in the top back wall side frame member 434.

The top frame 434 also includes a plurality of substantially triangular corner braces 442. The corner braces 442 may be used at the junction of the top frame member 426 with any one of the spacer blocks 422, and at the junction of the latter with the extension 437.

At 443 is designated an elongated, substantially rectangular filler strip having a notch 444 formed at the upper end thereof, and a longitudinally-extending, subtantially U-shaped channel 446 is centrally located between the opposed edges thereof.

As in the preceding embodiments of this invention, all

of the component elements of the embodiment of the cabinet shown in FIGURE 12 are preformed. An inspection of FIGURES l1 and 12 discloses that there are certain elements shown therein common to each. Therefore, to distinguish between the elements of each figure, the same reference numerals have been employed in FIG- URE 12, but to these reference numerals a prime mark has been added.

To assemble the cabinet 400 the composite back side frame member 435, 437 is first mounted on the upper back corners of the partition walls 410 after which the top front frame member 426 is connected to the upper front corners of the partition panels 410. The braces 442 may then be assembled at desired points. The lock bar 430 now may be connected on the front edges of the partition walls 410, and after this construction has been made, the partially complete cabinet 400 is now inverted 180 about its longitudinal axis. The front bottom side frame member 404 is now mounted on the partition walls 410 and this is followed by the connection of the back bottom side frame member 406. Pre-cut top closure walls (not shown) may now be inserted, if desired, and connected with the underside of the top frame after which the kickboards 268, 276 are applied to the bottom wall in the same manner as described in connection with the invention of FIGURES 7 to 11, inclusive. One longitudinally-extending marginal edge of a back wall (not shown) is now inserted in the groove 439 and secured therein, while its other longitudinal marginal edge is connected to the bottom back side frame member 406.

The filler strips 443 may now be applied to the outermost ones of the partition walls 410 and the partially completed cabinet 400 is now reverted to its original position after which the preformed and pre-cut bottom walls may be installed on the bottom frame.

Finish panels are then applied in the manner previously described.

It is obvious, of course, that the top closure members referred to in connection with cabinets 200 and 400 could be omitted without prejudice to the over-all construction of these cabinets inasmuch as each of these cabinets could be fitted with a top formed of formica or other similar material to provide finish and ornamentation to cabinets constructed in the manner described. The addition of the formica top members forms no essential part of this invention and has not, therefore, been illustrated in the drawings.

It is important to note that each of the above-described cabinets may be constructed of preformed elements and that basically the same or similar elements are utilized throughout the construction of the various cabinets. All of the cabinets involve the provision of basic slotted or grooved elements which are preformed and which may be cut to given lengths in accordance with a given specification. For example, all of the spacer blocks disclosed in this specification could be, conceivably, cut from a single length of substantially rectangular grooved material. All of the side frame members could be constructed from an elongated, transversely-grooved strip of material, and even the L-shaped top back side frame members could be formed from the same strip through the simple expedient of securing together a pair of longitudinally-extending edges of two of such strips. The front side frame members are similarly constructed and the departures between the members in the several embodiments of this invention depend merely from the length, width and depth of the strip which is to be grooved and cut.

This invention also envisions the provision of front and side kickboards having identical construction which may be prefabricated, and wherein the side kickboard assemblies are provided with front corner posts which may be prefabricated and assembled with the side kickboard to constitute a single unit.

The invention contemplates the use of pre-cut and finished wall-s or panels, as well as pre-cut top and bottom walls and partition walls.

The basic underlying principles behind this invention reside in the provision of a system whereby custom-built wall or floor cabinets may be constructed, en masse, from preformed units and assembled without loss of time, while still preserving the esthetic quality of a piece of furniture.

Having described and illustrated several embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cabinet comprising an open substantially-rectangul-ar top and bottom frame, said top and bottom frames each including, respectively, a pair of laterally-spaced, elongated, substantially-rectangular and parallel front and back side frame members with the front and back side frame members of each frame being disposed, respectively, in vertically-spaced and parallel relationship, said front and back side frame members each having grooves extending transversely thereacross with the grooves on one of said side frame members aligned with a groove of :any other of said side frame members, said grooves of said top and bottom frames, respectively, being disposed in confronting relationship, a plurality of vertically-extending, substantially-rectangular partition walls, said partition walls having their respective corners engaged and secured in preselected ones of said aligned grooves, a closure wall extending between each adjacent pair of partition walls and fixedly secured to said side frame members at said top and bottom frames, and a back wall extending across and being fixedly secured to each adjacent pair of partition Walls.

2. A cabinet comprising an open substantially-rectangular top and bottom frame, including, respectively, a pair of laterally-spaced, elongated, substantially-rectangular and parallel front and back side frame members with the back and front side members, respectively, of the top and bottom frames being disposed in vertically-spaced and parallel relation, said side frame members having grooves extending transversely thereacross aligned with one another and with the grooves of each frame confronting one another, a plurality of vertically-spaced and parallel spacer blocks extending between and being secured to each pair of said side frame members on each of said frames, each of said spacer blocks having -a groove extending longitudinally therethrough aligned with preselected ones of the grooves of the side frame members with which it is connected, a plurality of vertically-elongated, substantiallyrectangular partition walls having opposed ends engaging and being fixedly secured within said grooves of each vertically-spaced pair of said spacer blocks and said preselected grooves of said side frame members, a closure wall extending between each adjacent pair of said partition walls and secured to said side frame members of said top and bottom frames, respectively, and a back wall extending across and being fixedly secured to each adjacent pair of partition walls. I

3. A cabinet comprising an open substantially-rectangular top and bottom frame, including, respectively, a pair of laterally-spaced, elongated, substantially-rectangular and parallel front and back side frame members with said side frame members being parallel to one another and formed with a plurality of aligned grooves with the grooves of any adjacent pair of side frame members confronting one another, said front and back side frame members being vertically-spaced from one another, a plurality of partition walls having a vertically-elongated, substantiallyrectangular configuration, an elongated substantially-rectangular spacer block fixedly secured to the opposed ends of each of said partition walls, means fixedly securing the opposed ends of each spacer block, respectively, between adjacent sides of each pair of said side frame members with said partition walls engaging, at their respective corners, within selected ones of said aligned grooves, an

elongated substantially-rectangular back wall extending continuously between each adjacent pair of partition walls, and top and bottom closure walls extending between each adjacent pair of partition walls and being fixedly secured, respectively, to said top and bottom side frame members.

4. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, wherein said grooves of said front frame members are perpendicular to the plane of said back side frame members.

5. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, and a continuous kickboard disposed below said bottom frame and extending across the front and opposed sides of said cabinet, the forward ends of said spacer blocks being supported on said front side of said kickboard, and floor-engaging brace means fixedly secured to said back side frame member.

6. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, and a continuous kickboard disposed below said bottom frame and extending across the front and opposed sides of said cabinet, said kickboard supporting the front side bottom frame member, and floor-engaging brace means fixedly secured to said back side frame member of said bottom frame.

7. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, and a filler strip extending between the top and bottom back side frame members adjacent the remotely-disposed partition walls, and a finish panel fixedly secured to the exposed sides of said filler strips, to the outermost ends of the top and bottom back side frame members, and to the remotelydisposed edges of said spacer blocks of said top and bottom frames.

8. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, wherein said top back side frame member comprises an inverted substantially L-shaped element having a continuous longitudinally-extending groove formed in the lower end thereof to receive the upper edge of said back wall therein.

9. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, wherein the forward vertical edges of said partition walls are formed with an inwardly-extending notch, and a lock bar disposed within each pair of notches formed in adjacent panels and fixedly secured therein.

10. A cabinet as defined in claim 3, and a substantially open rectangular finish frame fixedly secured to the front edges of said front and bottom side frame members and to the front edges of each adjacent pair of said partition walls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,684,410 9/1928 Ostram et a1 108-101 1,788,883 1/1931 Madsen 312-257 X 2,466,869 4/ 1949 Triller 312326 2,869,953 1/1959 Miller et al 312-263 FOREIGN PATENTS 498,179 9/ 1954 Italy.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. CHANCELLOR, E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. CABINET COMPRISING AN OPEN SUBSTANTIALLY-RECTANGULAR TOP AND BOTTOM FRAME, SAID TOP AND BOTTOM FRAMES EACH INCLUDING, RESPECTIVELY, A PAIR OF LATERALLY-SPACED, ELONGATED, SUBSTANTIALLY-RECTANGULAR AND PARALLEL FRONT AND BACK SIDE FRAME MEMBERS WITH THE FRONT AND BACK SIDE FRAME MEMBERS OF EACH FRAME BEING DISPOSED, RESPECTIVELY, IN VERTICALLY-SPACED AND PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP, SAID FRONT AND BACK SIDE FRAME MEMBERS EACH HAVING GROOVES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREACROSS WITH THE GROOVES ON ONE OF SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS ALIGNED WITH A GROOVE OF ANY OTHER OF SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS, SAID GROOVES OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM FRAMES, RESPECTIVELY, BEING DISPOSED IN CONFRONTING RELATIONSHIP, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY-EXTENDING, SUBSTANTIALLY-RECTANGULAR PARTITION WALLS, SAID PARTITION WALLS HAVING THEIR RESPECTIVE CORNERS ENGAGED AND SECURED IN PRE- 